NORWICH City began their Checkatrade Trophy campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win at Sky Bet League One outfit Peterborough United on Tuesday night.

The newly-devised format saw the Canaries' Development squad come up against a side with significant Football League experience, but they responded with a display of maturity to emerge as deserved victors.

Fielding a side which included a number of those involved in City's recent EFL Cup triumph over Coventry City, the authority of Dmitri Halajko's youngsters rarely looked in doubt during a clinical performance.

Having survived an early scare courtesy of a fine recovery tackle from Michee Efete, the visitors quickly took control of the contest with a two quick-fire goals in the early stages.

The first came on six minutes when Josh Murphy raced onto a long pass forward, calmly stepping inside to beat his man before whipping beyond goalkeeper Mark Tyler to put his side in front.

Just moments later Tony Andreu doubled the advantage; stealing in unmarked at the back-post to firmly volley home James Maddison's corner.

Maddison then turned from provider to scorer midway through the half, confidently dribbling forward before unleashing a drive at goal from outside the box which deflected over Tyler and into the net.

City continued to threaten up until the interval as they hunted a fourth goal, with Murphy curling just over before Harry Toffolo skidded an effort from distance narrowly wide of the post.

They were ultimately rewarded for that perseverance however; Andreu ensuring a 4-0 lead at the break by sweeping home Toffolo's cut-back in injury-time following good work from Carlton Morris.

There was no risk of complacency after the restart, Norwich once again quick to get themselves on the front foot as Morris saw an attempt on the spin blocked deep within the United box.

After twice being denied by fine Ben Killip saves in the opening period, Peterborough eventually found a way past City's line of defence on 52 minutes when Jermaine Anderson rose highest to head home.

That only spurred Halajko's team on more though, and they wasted little time restoring the gap to four goals as Andreu met Murphy's cut-back to complete his hat-trick from close-range shortly after.

City maintained their sense of adventure to the last, notching a sixth eight minutes from time when Toffolo burst forward - the left-back picking out Murphy who duly swivelled and sent low into the corner.

Even the awarding of a late Peterborough penalty couldn't take the gloss off an excellent night for the Canaries; Killip diving lowing to his left to deny Tom Nichols at the end of a memorable evening.

FULL-TIME: Peterborough United 1-6 Norwich City

GOALS: Posh: Jermaine Anderson (52) Canaries: Josh Murphy (6, 82), Tony Andreu (8, 45, 56), James Maddison (23).

TEAM: Killip (c); Ramsay, Godfrey, Efete, Toffolo; Andreu, Thompson, Grant (Cantwell, 78), Jo. Murphy; Maddison; Morris. Subs not used: Oxborough (GK), Ashley-Seal, Crowe, Middleton, Jaiyesimi, Adams.

CHECKATRADE TROPHY: PETERBOROUGH 1-6 CITY

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